Ole Rough & Ready (ORR), "The Struggle for the Nueces," is a simulation of Zachary Taylor's campaign in northern Mexico during 1846. Registered players for the upcoming CWOL are strongly encouraged to participate to gain experience with the SAS land warfare simulation as subordinate officers of the Taylor's small but highly competent army.

The scenario for ORR opens in January of 1846 with the mobilization of Taylor's Army of Observation by President Polk. The Mexican government has posted General Mariano Arista's Army of the North along the border since the secession of Texas and the founding of the Texas Republic. The admittance of Texas as the 28th state into the Union in late 1845 led to diplomatic tensions answered by the deployment of Taylor's army. The presence of the "Army of Observation" provided the spark that ignited a border dispute and then fostered a national quest for expansion.

The initial campaign of this conflict, the securing of the disputed Nueces River region, is the subject of this game. Because the scenario of ORR is essentially an overland campaign fought in less than eleven months the primary game engine will be the Civil War Online (CWOL) Shot and Shell (SAS) land warfare module. No other aspect of the CWOL game system will be utilized. The list and explanation of all special or supplemental rules for ORR can be found here. All players are encouraged to review the basic rule set for Shot and Shell to get a feel for the game interface and attributes.

Ole Rough & Ready also serves as a preparatory activity before the start of CWOL 8. Because of the widespread knowledge of the ACW era by the average Players Guild member who plays CWOL, it is very difficult to replicate the emotional growth and bonding of the young officers of General Taylor's army who would face death together and vanquish what most of the world thought was the superior military force. The participation of all registered players of CWOL as team mates in this scenario tries to allow the player-base gain the knowledge of personality, capabilities, and personal style that the veterans of the Mexican War gained about one another. These officers would use this experience as young men to influence their later leadership of the the greatest armies ever fielded in North America. The cauldron of the northern Mexico would prove to be the birthplace of the future heroes and leaders of the American Civil War. Many would say that the actions of the officers of the American army marked them for greatness. This simulation will allow us to see if this adage still holds true.